The sect leader slowly turned the pages of the "Runic Codex," examining each page with meticulous care. The ancient text was written in obscure and difficult-to-understand characters, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura. The crowd gathered around the sect leader, barely daring to breathe, their eyes glued to the pages as if trying to etch every single character into their hearts.
"Found it!" the sect leader suddenly exclaimed, his finger hovering over a spot on the page. Everyone rushed forward and saw that it contained runes similar to those on the strip of cloth, along with densely packed annotations.
Ling Yun asked eagerly, "Sect Leader, what does it say on this?"
The sect leader's expression was solemn as he slowly said, "These runes come from an ancient and mysterious organization called the 'Nether Abyss Cult.' This cult is skilled in using poison and manipulating evil objects. They act in secrecy and have always been hiding in the shadows, intending to overthrow all the major cultivation sects and unify the cultivation world."
Lin Feng frowned and pondered, "In that case, those men in black are very likely members of the Netherworld Cult. Could it be that they stole the fragments of the token to achieve some ulterior motive using their power?"
“Very likely.” Xuan Fengzi nodded in agreement. “Moreover, they released the ice dragon to block us, which shows that they are determined to obtain this fragment of the token and will not give up easily.”
The female general clenched her fists, her eyes resolute: "Now that we know the enemy's origins, we cannot sit idly by and wait to die. We must find a way to stop their plot."
The woman from the Blood Shadow Sect sneered, "Us? The Netherworld Sect has been hiding for many years, and its influence is probably deeply entrenched. If we act rashly, we'll be like lambs to the slaughter."
Ling Yun looked at the woman from the Blood Shadow Sect and said earnestly, "Even if there are many dangers, we cannot back down. If the Netherworld Sect's conspiracy succeeds, the cultivation world will surely be plunged into utter ruin."
The sect leader closed the ancient book, looking at everyone with a firm gaze: "Ling Yun is right. As cultivators, we have a responsibility to protect this world. However, we currently know very little about the Netherworld Sect, so we cannot act blindly."
Just as everyone was discussing countermeasures, a disciple rushed over, looking panicked: "Sect Leader, something terrible has happened! A group of mysterious people have suddenly appeared outside the sect. They are dressed in black robes and have surrounded the sect. They are threatening to raze our sect to the ground if we don't hand over the fragment of the token!"
Everyone's expression changed; they hadn't expected the Netherworld Sect to come knocking so quickly. The sect leader sneered, "Perfect timing! I'd like to see just how capable they are!"
The sect leader led everyone to the sect square, where they saw a group of men in black robes surrounding the sect. Each of them exuded a chilling aura, and their eyes gleamed with ferocity. Leading them was a tall man in black robes, wearing a hideous mask that revealed only a pair of blood-red eyes.
"Are you all the fools who don't know what's good for you? How dare you ruin our Netherworld Sect's plans! If you know what's good for you, hand over the token fragments right now, or your entire sect will be reduced to ashes!" The black-robed man's voice was icy, as if it came from the deepest hell.
The sect leader stepped forward, declaring without fear, "The Netherworld Sect has committed countless evils and deserves to be punished by everyone. Your desire for the fragments of the token is nothing but wishful thinking!"
The man in black robes sneered, "Hmph, old man, don't be so stubborn! Hand over the fragments today, and I might spare the lives of everyone in your sect. Otherwise, I'll leave no one alive!" With that, he waved his hand, and the men in black robes behind him drew their weapons, emanating waves of evil aura.
Ling Yun, Lin Feng, and the others quickly stood beside their sect leader, taking their stances and preparing for battle. The female general gripped her spear tightly, her eyes flashing with a fighting spirit: "Come on, watch how I slaughter you villains today, leaving not a single one alive!"
Although the Blood Shadow Sect woman was somewhat worried, she drew her dagger and stood in the middle of the group. She knew that if she didn't fight alongside the others, she would have no chance of survival.
Tensions were high between the two sides, and a major battle seemed imminent. Suddenly, dark clouds gathered in the sky, and a massive black vortex appeared overhead. The vortex emitted a terrifying suction force, distorting the surrounding air.
"What is this?" The man in black robes' expression changed slightly as he looked up at the black vortex in the sky, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.
Before anyone could react, countless black beams of light shot out from the vortex, like sharp arrows, towards them. The black-robed figures cast spells to defend themselves, but the power of the black beams was extremely strong. Many of them were struck by the beams and instantly turned into pools of blood.
Seeing this, the sect leader quickly cast a protective spell, shielding everyone within it. The black light struck the protective spell, sparking a shower of sparks, but the spell itself trembled constantly, seemingly on the verge of shattering.
"What kind of power is this? Why is it so terrifying?" Lin Feng stared in horror at the vortex in the sky, his heart filled with doubt and fear.
Xuan Fengzi frowned, pondering, "This power exudes an evil aura; could it be secretly unleashed by the Netherworld Sect?"
The sect leader was doing his best to maintain the protective spell, large beads of sweat rolling down his forehead, his face flushed red from the exertion. The black light continued to bombard him like a torrential downpour, causing the protective spell to flicker erratically, as if it might collapse at any moment.
"Everyone, stay calm! Don't panic!" the sect leader shouted, his voice tinged with fatigue but still firm and powerful. Everyone circulated their spiritual energy, channeling their power into the sect leader's protective spell, attempting to strengthen his defenses.
The man in black robes and his men suffered heavy casualties under the attack of the black light, their previously arrogant demeanor completely crushed. While fending off the light, the man in black robes glared angrily at the sect leader and shouted, "What exactly did you do? Is this part of your conspiracy?"
The sect leader snorted coldly and replied with difficulty, "Hmph, it is clearly your Netherworld Sect that has committed too many evils, bringing about this unknown disaster, yet you blame us!"
The Blood Shadow Sect woman gazed at the terrifying black vortex in the sky, a strange sense of familiarity welling up within her, yet she couldn't quite place where she had seen it before. She gritted her teeth and said to Ling Yun, "This power is very strange. We can't just sit here and wait to die; we must find a way to leave!"
Ling Yun nodded, his gaze resolute: "I know, but now that we're trapped by this black light, breaking free is no easy task."
At this moment, the female general suddenly said, "Look, everyone, these black lights don't seem to be evenly distributed. The light is relatively sparse over there. Perhaps we can break through from there." Everyone looked in the direction she was pointing and indeed found an area where the density of black light was slightly lower.
The man in black robes seemed to have noticed the situation as well. He waved his hand and shouted to the remaining men in black robes, "Follow me and break through from that side!" After saying that, he took the lead and rushed towards the area with less light.
Seeing this, Ling Yun hurriedly said, "We can't let them break through first, or there will be endless trouble!" Everyone immediately understood and, led by the sect leader, rushed in the same direction.
The two groups arrived at the area almost simultaneously. The man in black robes glared fiercely at the sect leader: "Old man, don't think you can stop us!" With that, a long black sword appeared in his hand, its blade radiating an eerie light, and he slashed at the sect leader. The sect leader dodged to the side, drew his sword, and engaged the man in black robes in battle.
Lin Feng manipulated the surrounding spiritual energy, condensing it into wind blades that shot towards the black-robed men. Xuan Fengzi chanted incantations, and bolts of lightning shot from his hands, striking many of the black-robed men. The female general wielded her spear, its blade flashing, causing the black-robed men to scatter in its wake. Ling Yun, wielding a longsword, moved like lightning, weaving through the black-robed crowd, each strike deadly. The Blood Shadow Sect woman, relying on her agile movements, stealthily approached the black-robed men before delivering a fatal blow with her dagger.
However, the black vortex in the sky seemed to sense their attempt to break through, and the black light intensified. Many people were struck by the light during their escape, letting out painful screams.
"No, we'll all die here if this continues!" Ling Yun was extremely anxious. Looking at the black vortex in the sky, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration and shouted to Lin Feng, "Lin Feng, use your wind element to try and disperse these black rays!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Feng immediately concentrated, mobilizing all his spiritual power and manipulating the powerful wind element. A gust of wind howled and swept towards the black light. Under the impact of the wind, the black light indeed experienced a brief period of chaos, with some rays being blown off course.
"Now! Charge!" the sect leader shouted, and everyone seized the opportunity to rush forward with all their might. Just as they were about to break through the encirclement of black light, an extremely thick black beam shot out from the vortex, heading straight for the sect leader. The sect leader couldn't dodge in time and was struck by the black beam. His protective spell shattered instantly, and he was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string.
"Sect Leader!" Ling Yun and the others exclaimed in surprise, rushing towards their sect leader. Seeing this, the black-robed man seized the opportunity to lead the remaining black-robed figures out of the encirclement of black light.
Ling Yun helped the sect leader up and found that the sect leader's breath was weak, his face was as pale as paper, his clothes were corroded and tattered by the black light, and there were black marks on his skin, which meant that he had been poisoned.
"Sect Leader, how are you?" Ling Yun asked anxiously. The Sect Leader slightly opened his eyes and said weakly, "Don't worry about me...you all need to leave quickly...the power of this black vortex is getting stronger and stronger..."
The female general looked at the sect leader, tears welling in her eyes: "No, we cannot abandon you!"
Just then, a sinister laugh suddenly came from the black vortex: "No one can leave! You will all become sacrifices to my power!" With the laughter, the black vortex continued to expand, and more black rays shot towards everyone.
The Blood Shadow Sect woman gritted her teeth and said, "Now is not the time to hesitate. Let's charge out with our sect leader!" Everyone nodded and unleashed their spells, simultaneously fending off the black...
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